Residents of Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State were thrown into shock and fear on Sunday night after six heavily armed gunmen stormed the area, abducted a woman, and shot three people, including an 11-year-old child.
The violent incident, which occurred around 8:00 p.m. at Liberty Avenue in the community, has heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Ondo State, where cases of kidnapping and armed attacks have continued to rise.
According to community sources, the gunmen abducted a woman identified as Tomilola Oladehinde at the entrance of her residence. The attackers were said to have arrived suddenly and opened fire, causing residents to flee in panic.
Witnesses said the gunmen had earlier trailed a businessman, John Ofuduwa, to Ilu-Abo before carrying out the attack. Ofuduwa, who sells iron rods at Oba-Ile, a neighbouring community, was reportedly ambushed as he attempted to enter his compound.
During the attack, Ofuduwa was shot in the head by the gunmen and left in a pool of blood. Two other victims, a woman identified as Victoria and her 11-year-old daughter, were also hit by stray bullets while passing through the area at the time of the incident.
Residents said the sound of gunshots shattered the calm of the usually quiet community, sending people running for safety.
“One moment everything was quiet, and the next thing we heard was gunfire,” a resident said. “People started shouting and running. Nobody knew who they were shooting or what was happening.”
Sources within the community claimed that the attackers were not regular kidnappers but gunmen allegedly hired to assassinate the businessman. According to them, the abduction of Tomilola Oladehinde was carried out to help the attackers escape after the operation went wrong.
One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen specifically targeted Ofuduwa and followed him closely before striking.
“John was the person they traced to Ilu-Abo,” the source said. “He was about to enter his gate when we suddenly heard multiple gunshots. Everyone had to run for their lives.”
The source added that it was only after the gunmen fled that residents realised the extent of the damage caused.
“When they left, we saw that John had been shot in the head, and blood was gushing out,” the source said. “A woman who was trying to drive into her compound was taken away. Another woman and her young daughter were also shot.”
Community members believe the kidnapped woman was not the main target of the attackers but was taken away to prevent residents from chasing them or alerting security agencies immediately.
“We believe the woman was kidnapped to aid their escape,” the source added. “Since Sunday night, nobody has contacted her family or demanded ransom. We are all worried.”
Following the attack, Ofuduwa was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owo for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later referred to a specialist hospital in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Residents said the condition of the businessman remains critical, and prayers are ongoing for his survival. The injured woman and her child were also taken to a hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
The abduction of Tomilola Oladehinde has left her family and neighbours in deep distress. As of the time of reporting, her whereabouts remain unknown, and the abductors have not contacted anyone to make demands.
The incident has increased fear among residents of Ilu-Abo, many of whom say they no longer feel safe moving around freely, especially at night.
“This is a peaceful community, but now everyone is afraid,” a resident said. “Parents are scared for their children, and people are afraid to come home late.”
Reacting to the incident, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, visited the scene on Monday to assess the situation and reassure residents. He condemned the attack and promised that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Lawal said the police had launched an intensive operation to rescue the abducted woman and arrest all those involved in the attack. He added that the police are working closely with other security agencies to track down the gunmen.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victim,” the commissioner said. “We are also determined to arrest and prosecute all those responsible for this criminal act.”
According to him, the operation involves collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies, as well as local security groups and community leaders.
The police commissioner urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could help the investigation.
Ondo State has experienced a rise in violent crimes in recent years, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and targeted attacks. Several communities in Akure North, Owo, and other parts of the state have been affected by criminal activities, often carried out by armed groups operating along highways and forested areas.
The state government has repeatedly assured residents of its commitment to tackling insecurity. Efforts have included joint security operations, the use of local intelligence, and collaboration with neighbouring states to track criminal gangs.
Despite these efforts, residents say more needs to be done to prevent attacks and protect lives. Many have called for increased patrols, improved intelligence gathering, and quicker response times from security agencies.
For the people of Ilu-Abo, Sunday night’s attack is a painful reminder of the dangers posed by armed criminals. Community leaders have called for prayers for the victims and urged residents to remain vigilant.
As security agencies intensify their search for the gunmen and the abducted woman, families in the community continue to hope for good news. The fate of Tomilola Oladehinde remains uncertain, but residents say they are praying for her safe return.